The SIA Group reported an operating profit of $293 million in the third quarter of the 2016-17 financial year, $5 million higher compared to the same period last year (+1.7%).

Group revenue fell $97 million year-on-year to $3,844 million (-2.5%), mainly attributable to lower passenger flown revenue in a weak-yield environment. The Parent Airline Company saw its flown revenue decline by $167 million, which was partly compensated by growth from Scoot (+$45 million). Cargo and mail revenue improved by $8 million (+1.5%), boosted by stronger freight carriage.

Group expenditure contracted by $102 million to $3,551 million (-2.8%). Net fuel costs declined $200 million (-17.6%), largely due to a $256 million reduction in fuel hedging loss. Fuel costs before hedging rose $56 million, on the back of a higher average jet fuel price (+$36 million) and higher fuel volume uplifted (+$29 million), partially offset by a weaker US Dollar against the Singapore Dollar compared to one year ago (-$9 million). Ex-fuel costs increased $98 million or 3.9%, partly attributable to capacity expansion by SilkAir and Scoot.

Third Quarter Operating Results of Main Companies

The operating results of the main companies in the Group for the third quarter of the financial year were as follows:

3rd Quarter

3rd Quarter

FY2016-17

FY2015-16

Operating Profit/(Loss)

$ million

$ million

Parent Airline Company

151

181

SilkAir

30

33

Scoot

20

18

Tiger Airways

9

9

SIA Cargo

53

2

SIA Engineering

25

29

Operating profit for the Parent Airline Company fell $30 million year-on-year (-16.6%). Total revenue slipped by $173 million, largely attributed to a $167 million reduction in passenger flown revenue, as passenger yield declined 5.5%. Passenger carriage (measured in revenue passenger-kilometres) dipped 1.3% against flat capacity (measured in available seat-kilometres), resulting in a one percentage-point drop in passenger load factor to 79.0%. Expenditure decreased $143 million, mainly due to a $170 million reduction in net fuel costs, partly offset by higher aircraft depreciation, and aircraft maintenance and overhaul costs.

SilkAir’s operating profit was $3 million lower than last year (-9.1%). Total revenue increased $3 million, as passenger carriage rose 10.1%, partly offset by a 7.4% slide in passenger yield. Capacity expanded 10.4% and passenger load factor fell by 0.3 percentage points to 71.3%. Expenditure increased $6 million on the back of capacity expansion, overshadowing growth in revenue.

Scoot saw its operating profit increase by $2 million compared to the same quarter in the last financial year. Total revenue was up $49 million (+35.5%), bolstered by a 44.3% increase in passenger carriage, albeit diluted by weaker passenger yield (-7.1%). Capacity expanded more rapidly, by 51.8%, resulting in a passenger load factor decline of 4.2 percentage points to 80.8%. Expenditure rose $47 million (+39.2%), while unit cost dropped 8.9%.

Tiger Airways’ operating result remained flat year-on-year. Passenger carriage was constant on the back of a marginal capacity drop (-0.9%), and passenger load factor inched up 0.8 percentage points to 83.9%. Revenue declined by $7 million, primarily due to weaker passenger yield (-5.5%). This was offset by a reduction in expenditure, which was mostly attributable to lower net fuel costs.

SIA Cargo achieved an operating profit of $53 million, its best third quarter performance in nine years. Yield remained under pressure (-5.2%), but freight carriage grew 6.6%, boosted by stronger-than-expected peak demand. Consequently, revenue increased $8 million. Capacity rose 5.1, trailing the growth in traffic, and cargo load factor was one percentage point higher at 65.9%. Expenditure fell $43 million mainly arising from lower fuel costs.

The Group reported a net profit of $177 million for the October-December 2016 quarter, a decline of $98 million (-35.6%) from the same period last year.

During the quarter, the Group recognised a $79 million write-down of the Tigerair brand and trademark following the announcement by Budget Aviation Holdings that Tiger Airways and Scoot would operate under the common “Scoot” brand from the second half of 2017. In addition, there was an absence of a gain from SilkAir’s sale and leaseback of four 737-800s reported last year (-$52 million). These were partially compensated by a reduction in tax expense (+$30 million).

April to December 2016

Group operating profit for the nine months to December 2016 improved $67 million to $595 million (+12.7%). Expenditure shrunk $437 million (-4.0%), surpassing revenue reduction of $370 million (-3.2%) that arose mainly from a decline in passenger flown revenue.

The operating results of the main companies in the Group for the nine months were as follows:

9 months

9 months

FY2016-17

FY2015-16

Operating Profit/(Loss)

$ million

$ million

Parent Airline Company

427

387

SilkAir

74

59

Scoot

26

(4)

Tiger Airways

20

(1)

SIA Cargo

8

(10)

SIA Engineering

48

77

Most companies in the Group recorded moderate improvements in operating results year-on-year. SIA Engineering reported a lower operating profit, due to higher expenditure, coupled with a fall in revenue. Expenditure rose predominantly from a provision for profit sharing bonus following the divestment of Hong Kong Aero Engine Services Ltd (HAESL), partly offset by lower production overheads. Revenue reduced mainly from fleet management programme revenue, alleviated by an increase in line maintenance revenue.

Group net profit fell $81 million (-14.0%) to $499 million. Improvement in operating profit was negated by lower dividends from long-term investments (-$108 million) [see Note 2], write-down of the Tigerair brand and trademark (-$79 million), share of losses from associated companies against share of profits last year (-$60 million), and loss on disposal of aircraft, spares and spare engines versus a surplus one year ago (-$67 million). The decline in net profit was partially cushioned by a $142 million gain from SIA Engineering’s divestment of HAESL, and $36 million special dividends received from HAESL following the sale of its 20% stake in Singapore Aero Engine Service Ltd.FLEET DEVELOPMENT

During the third quarter, the Parent Airline Company took delivery of five A350-900s, of which four entered into service by the end of December. As at 31 December 2016, the operating fleet of the Parent Airline Company comprised 108 passenger aircraft (54 777s, 26 A330-300s, 19 A380-800s and nine A350-900s), with an average age of 7 years and 8 months.

SilkAir took delivery of one 737-800 during the quarter. As at 31 December 2016, SilkAir operated 31 aircraft – 11 A320s, three A319s and 17 737-800s – with an average age of 4 years and 2 months.

Scoot maintained a fleet of 12 787s (six 787-9s and six 787-8s) in the third quarter. Its average fleet age as at 31 December 2016 was 1 year and 4 months.

Tiger Airways operated 23 aircraft – 21 A320s and two A319s – with an average age of 5 years and 8 months as at 31 December 2016.

During the quarter, SIA Cargo returned one 747-400 freighter to its lessor. As at 31 December 2016, SIA Cargo operated a fleet of eight 747-400 freighters.

Route DEVELOPMENT

The Parent Airline Company will introduce services to a second Scandinavian city, Stockholm (via Moscow), from 30 May 2017. Frequency to Moscow will therefore increase from four to five times a week, as flights, which will be operated with A350-900s, continue on to Stockholm. The Parent Airline Company’s route network will then expand to 62 destinations across 32 countries, including Singapore.

Frequency to various points, including Ahmedabad, Bangkok, Brisbane, Dhaka, Ho Chi Minh City, Melbourne, Rome and Sydney, will also increase during the Northern Summer season (26 March 2017 – 28 October 2017) to meet growing travel demand.

SilkAir commenced services to Fuzhou on 21 November 2016. It will commence thrice-weekly services to Colombo from 8 April 2017, operating alongside the Parent Airline which will retain daily services to the Sri Lankan city. This will grow SilkAir’s network to 53 destinations across 15 countries, including Singapore.

Scoot’s network will increase to 24 destinations across 10 countries with the commencement of new services to Athens from 20 June 2017.

Tiger Airways maintains a network of 40 destinations in 12 countries, including Singapore.

Overall, including the announced new routes, the portfolio of airlines in the Group will be serving 133 destinations across 37 countries.

OUTLOOK

2017 is expected to be another challenging year amid tepid global economic conditions and geopolitical concerns, alongside other market headwinds such as overcapacity and aggressive pricing by competitors. Loads and yields for both the passenger and cargo businesses are projected to remain under pressure.

Fuel prices have trended upward since the last quarter and are expected to remain volatile as uncertainty lingers around global oil production output. The Group regularly reviews and adapts its fuel hedging policy to manage volatility in fuel prices. For the fourth quarter of the financial year, the Group has hedged 37.4% of its jet fuel requirements in Singapore Jet Kerosene (MOPS) at a weighted average price of USD67 per barrel. The Group has also entered into longer dated Brent hedges with maturity extending to 2022, covering between 33% and 39% of our projected annual fuel consumption, at average prices ranging from USD53 to USD59 per barrel.

An expanding, fuel-efficient A350-900 fleet has enabled the addition of more long-haul routes for SIA. At the same time, with a deeper integration between Scoot and Tiger Airways, the Group can capitalise on new opportunities to boost network connectivity and growth in the low-cost airline segment. The Group will maintain vigilance over its costs, and its strong balance sheet positions it well to weather the many challenges ahead.

GROUP FINANCIAL STATISTICS

3rd Quarter

3rd Quarter

9 months

9 months

2016-17

2015-16

2016-17

2015-16

Financial Results ($ million)

Total revenue

3,843.8

3,941.0

11,148.5

11,519.1

Total expenditure

3,550.9

3,653.0

10,553.3

10,991.1

Operating profit

292.9

288.0

595.2

528.0

Non-operating items

(66.2)

74.9

55.5

201.2

Profit before taxation

226.7

362.9

650.7

729.2

Profit attributable to owners of the Parent

177.2

274.9

498.7

579.7

Per Share Data

Earnings per share (cents)

– Basic R1

15.0

23.6

42.2

49.7

– Diluted R2

14.9

23.5

42.0

49.5

As at

As at

31 Dec 2016

31 Mar 2016

Financial Position ($ million)

Share capital

1,856.1

1,856.1

Treasury shares

(194.7)

(381.5)

Capital reserve

(152.6)

(129.2)

Foreign currency translation reserve

(115.9)

(151.3)

Share-based compensation reserve

85.2

123.7

Fair value reserve

382.8

(498.6)

General reserve

11,982.2

11,935.5

Equity attributable to owners of the Parent

13,843.1

12,754.7

Total assets

24,618.7

23,769.7

Total debt

1,581.8

1,347.5

Total debt : equity ratio (times) R3

0.11

0.11

Net asset value ($) R4

11.72

10.96

R1

Earnings per share (basic) is computed by dividing profit attributable to owners of the Parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue less treasury shares.

R2

Earnings per share (diluted) is computed by dividing profit attributable to owners of the Parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue less treasury shares, adjusted for the dilutive effect on the exercise of all outstanding share options granted.

R3

Total debt : equity ratio is total debt divided by equity attributable to owners of the Parent.

R4

Net asset value per share is computed by dividing equity attributable to owners of the Parent by the number of ordinary shares in issue less treasury shares.